What exactly is the difference between the Ronal Minilite wheel, and the Saab Minilite (Original?) wheel....

I was recently offered a choice of both, but the Ronals were half the price of the other version.....

I hear the Saab wheel is the original Rally wheel, and is wider...is this so?

Skybone

21st December 2005, 06:34 AM

I thought that they were one and the same, Ronal made them for SAAB (at least that's what my set say).

Carlsson900

21st December 2005, 08:21 AM

Apparently there is a difference......

I know that the 3 spoke alloys on my 900 Aero are made by Ronal too....

sonett1

21st December 2005, 09:54 AM

Have a look on here, it will save me typing it, click on the wheels link....

http://jpowell.tripod.com/saab/tour.html

nutcase

21st December 2005, 01:58 PM

Both types were made specially for Saab and had "SAAB" cast into them. The Minilite ones WILL be more expensive as they are so much rarer. I swapped a set of Ronal ones + some cash to get mine!

The Minilite ones use a different centre cap - a pressed aluminium one as opposed to the plastic hexagonal one on the Ronals (same as used on the Inca's). The Minilite wheels use the same nut pattern as the Inca's (which are made by Ronal) and the Ronal ones use the conical nut of later alloys. Confused now? :lol:

The biggest visual difference apart from the centre cap is the rim. The Minilite has a smooth rim whereas the Ronal has a lip. There are also detail differences in the spoke design. The width is the same - 5.5"

One thing I DON'T know is if the Minilite ones are a Magesium wheel. I suspect not.

Oh, and then of course there's the Shelby wheel! A US sourced equivalent that used the same plastic centre cap as the Ronals.

Carlsson900

22nd December 2005, 10:04 AM

Thanks Nutcase....

Question answered!

The chap who had them wanted £300 for a set of Minilite Rally wheels, which he said were off an original rally saab....(Maybe)
But I'm just as happy with my old Ronals, as they look great on my Black 99 2 door.....